Johanna Ilyssa Padrid & Kyle James Dykman
Wedding Party
Monique Padrid
Maid of Honor
When you've known the bride her entire life, it's quite the challenge to sum things up in a few sentences. Witnessing, experiencing, and continuing to be a part of her journey into this complex, intelligent, beautiful, and strong woman is a great joy. As much as I try to teach her a few lessons as the eldest, I find that it's actually the reverse. I'm beyond grateful to have Kyle (and Darwin) become a part of our family. Of course, both Kyle and Darwin have taught me a thing or two as well. I can't wait to see what other adventures are in store for KID!
Steven Nancarrow
Best Man
The first day I met Kyle, I asked him to lunch. He turned around with his mohawk and vest and said “I don’t eat lunch”, then went back to typing. Somehow we became friends, even though I want to strangle him like 90% of the time. We have been on several trips together. He always insisted we share a room (we didn’t). On one trip, we decide it would be cool to take some photos on the train tracks. Suddenly a train comes zooming down the tracks, we barely jump out of the way, horns blaring, and tumble down into the sand. I think that’s when we became friends. He is one of the friendliest and outgoing people I know. He always misses Ilyssa desperately. I wish KID all the happiness in the world. Many adventures will be had and Starbucks cups collected. #PrayForIlyssa
Laurie Handa
Maid of Honor
I have known Ilyssa since we worked together as staff members of Sierra hall in the UCI freshmen dorms during my senior/her junior year of college. We were going through similar experiences at the time and I’m so grateful we were able to rely on one another, along with becoming close friends. It was during that year she met Kyle and they began dating. Even in the beginning, it was clear that they had something special - there’s always this infectious and happy energy that they have together. It has been such a joy watching their relationship progress throughout the years, and I am consequently so excited to be a member of Ilyssa’s wedding party. Looking forward to see what KID’s future holds!
MyChi Nguyen
Best Woman
I met Kyle in the summer of 2006 at a get-together he had organized for his friends. Over a game of soccer that afternoon, I got to know Kyle and henceforth began a friendship that has lasted over a decade. Kyle is one of the most caring and thoughtful people I know, and he constantly goes above and beyond when it comes to putting effort into relationships. Such selflessness is hard to come by, so when Kyle told me about Ilyssa and how she would always put her family before herself, I knew he had met his perfect match. They have overcome obstacles together with resilience and shared many high points-- buying a home together, adopting Darwin, and getting engaged. Kyle and Ilyssa, I'm honored to be a part of your special day and can't wait to see what the future has in store for you!
Matt Klein
Bridesman
I am so honored to be in Ilyssa and Kyle’s wedding party because I didn’t even know them before they were engaged! Ilyssa got engaged before coming to graduate school at the University of Georgia, and we met the summer before and we decided to be roommates, and both of us became each other’s support system while we are earning our degrees in College Student Affairs Administration. When I finally met Kyle in person, he gave me the biggest hug, and from then on I knew he was perfect for Ilyssa. I spent the summer of 2017 in California, and got to meet Ilyssa’s family in Fremont and see their house in Long Beach. I could not be happier to be a part of Kyle and Ilyssa’s special day, and am so excited to watch them grow old together. Love you both (and Darwin!!)
Michael Mori
Groomsman
I can’t actually recall how or when Kyle and I first met. In elementary school, somewhere between class and recess, I got to know him as the kid who was crazy fast and wicked smart. But most importantly, he seemed to fit perfectly into our little group. I’ve known Kyle for some 20-odd years now and not much seems to have changed. His kindness and thoughtfulness have always been inspiring and I am proud to be his friend. Congrats Kyle!
Meena Kaushik
Bridesmaid
I met Ilyssa in 7th grade, in Ms. Fickes' Period 3/4 CORE class.I was shy and uncertain of myself, making it nearly impossible to make friends.Ilyssa was the first beam of sunshine to break through my stubborn, cloudy skies.She was, and still is, one of the most genuine and radiant people I have ever met.She breathes strength into voices that have long been silenced and gives a piece of herself to everyone she encounters.She is always quick to lend a helping hand or a listening ear.I could not be more grateful for all the times she has made me laugh, think, and realize the beauty in vulnerability.Her patience and kindness is unrivaled;it is what has made her a tremendous best friend over the past decade, and what I know makes her a tremendous partner.Cheers to the stories that lie ahead!
Kayley Jane Dykman
Groomswoman
My big, big brother, as I remember saying when I was little, is Kyle and I've known him all my life. My first memory with him is sitting in his room one night and asking him what his name was. I just sat there and repeatedly asked what it was and how to spell it, probably a hundred times. And of course him being him, he never got irritated or mad but just happily answered each and every time. This is how he has been my whole life and I'm sure he will be forever: kind, patient, and always helpful, (especially for a curious baby sister).
Xuchen Hu
Bridesman
Ilyssa and I first met in high school during 11th grade AP English class. For some reason, we didn’t bump into each other then, but once we did, we became close friends. We would do group projects together, hang out during lunch and after school, and we even went to a dance together (she asked me to Winter Ball). Even though we went our separate ways after graduation, myself to Berkeley and her to Irvine, we still kept in touch. For a year, we were even living in the same county before graduate school took her away to Georgia. However, wherever she is, I’m proud to say she’s one of my closest friends.
Koby Dykman
Groomsman
Ahem...*cough cough*...(clears throat) It’s an incredible feat to not know your older sibling, being around them ever since you were born, a feat which I never had a problem with. Much to my brother’s surprise, I was always attempting to get Kyle to do things with me that would keep him from any and all responsibilities he had to attend to. From forcing him to play video games with me, stealing the food he would make, to...um...forcing him to play more video games with me, Kyle had his hands full all the time. I quite like the dynamic that I have built for him and myself. But in all seriousness, I couldn’t ask for a more caring, kind, hardworking, and exceptional older brother than Kyle and I can’t wait for the life him and Ilyssa will get to share together.